Matthew Payne is an Indiana PAEMST Finalist

Matthew Payne, Avon High School Chemistry Teacher, is a 2025 Indiana finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

"The honor recognizes the great collaboration I am able to have with my colleagues and how fortunate I am to have exceptional students," says Mr. Payne.

Mr. Payne is one of four Indiana high school Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teachers eligible to receive a PAEMST award, which is the nation's highest honor for K-12 STEM teachers. His colleague, Lisa Kern, recently won this national honor, which is administered by the National Science Foundation on behalf of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

According to a release from the Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics, "State Finalists represent the most outstanding teachers Indiana has to offer and serve as both a model and an inspiration to students and fellow teachers."

Mr. Payne certainly is an inspiration, and we congratulate him on this incredible honor!